HORSE rider Andrew Davies has won the chance to compete at the most prestigious indoor equestrian event of the year.

Mr Davies, aged 30, has taken one of only 14 places available to British riders to compete in Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) this month.

The riding enthusiast from Brook Farm in Rixton secured his place after winning a qualification competition at Rowallan Equestrian Centre in Scotland earlier this month.

Mr Davies, who has been riding since the age of seven, competed against 50 other riders to secure his winning place.

He said: "The horse jumped really well. He was on top form and luck was on my side."

The HOYS marks the climax of the national show jumping and showing seasons and generates 150,000 entries at shows all over the country.

Mr Davies will join the top 10 British riders and three other British 'wildcard' qualifiers alongside the world's best at the NEC Arena in Birmingham from October 12 to 16.